Following the fall of Aleppo and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Ahmed al-Sharaa emerges as Syria’s de facto leader. While he distances himself from his previous jihadist affiliations, questions linger about his commitment to minority rights and the political inclusivity he promises. As Syria seeks stability amidst foreign interventions and internal divisions, al-Sharaa faces skepticism over his ability to address the deeper issues faced by a war-torn population and his alignment with Western perceptions of terror.